Nightclub & Bar Show Preview

Three days. Four nights. 28,000 bar and club pros. Las Vegas, get ready.

As the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show descends upon Sin City, everyone’s looking for what’s in it for them and their business. Of course, they’re also looking to party. We’re more than confident that when all is said and done, the show will have satisfied both desires.

By day, wear your most comfortable shoes. A jam-packed exhibit floor awaits, bursting with major brands and those up-and-comers eager to be the Next Big Thing. Be prepared to walk aisles of spirits, wine, beer, bar equipment, lighting and sound systems, promotional tools and merchandise and an array of innovations for driving sales and profits at your business. Taste, smell and experience them all, and talk up the vendors for ideas.

Throughout the day, hit up the Main Stage for show-stopping entertainment including the now legendary Shake it Up! Competition. Sharpen your skills with a conference program that offers something for everyone, from the hardcore bartender to the high-flying club exec, from the deal-maker to the décor consultant.

By night, wear your dancing shoes. You’ll hit the top clubs, bars and restaurants with non-stop parties. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous and infamous as you check out the best of Vegas nightlife, then maybe watch the sun rise from the Strip.

How to ,survive – and thrive – at the Nightclub & Bar Show? Pace yourself, pay attention, take notes, exchange business cards with everyone, check for Tweets from @nightclubbar about daily events, don’t miss a thing as you drink in the energy that drives this business. Then sleep it off on the plane home, get to work applying what you’ve taken with you, and watch your business grow.

MONDAY, MARCH 7

By Day…

Jon Taffer, president of Nightclub & Bar Media Group opens the show, getting everyone amped up for the upcoming events.

Keynote speaker Dr. Peter Cressy, president and CEO of DISCUS, presents on the roadblocks and opportunities facing the industry during this time of economic recovery.

Check out seminars on cocktail culture, social media, motivating employees, increasing profits with new menu items and creating a successful music format design.

Don’t miss the Super Session presented by the Millennium Board Panel, where MichellePae, vice president of national accounts, Terlato Wines, will moderate an all-star panel on how to build a balanced beverage program in a changing landscape.

New to the Show: NCB University, offering many exclusive workshops. JonTaffer gives insight into his Taffer’s Bar Dynamics, Bob Brown, president of Bob Brown Service Solutions, speaks about service excellence and MariaMiranda, creative director and social media advocate for Miranda Creative Inc. Strategic Communications, gets you in gear by focusing on your social media strategy.

Another can’t-miss seminar at NCB University comes from bar consultants RobertPlotkin and Jack Robertiello, who instruct on operations strategies and tactics for bigger profits at your bar.

Top-notch Back of the House Tours: Marquee at The Cosmopolitan, TAO at TheVenetian and Mandalay Bay.

CharlotteVoisey of William Grant & Sons USA heads up a discussion about bartending trends.

Check out the Featured Session on Preventing Prohibition with SarahLongwell, American Beverage Institute and Nightclub & Bar’s own Publisher and Editorial Director DonnaHoodCrecca.

By Night…

Begin the evening’s festivities at the CaesarsPalaceBallroom for the Welcome Kick-off party, sponsored by Beam and MillerCoors, where the NCB Award Winners will be recognized. All exhibitors and attendees are welcome!

HazeNightclub at AriaResort at CityCenter ramps up with its opening night Show & Glow Party, sponsored by DevotionVodka, with special guest, “Jersey Shore” star Mike“The Situation” Sorrentino.

Use your Club Pass for free admission to JetNightclub in the Mirage for the ultimate nightlife experience.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8

By day…

Begin your day with the Top 100 Super Session with DonnaHoodCrecca and DavidHenkes from Technomic, Inc., and learn how the biggest dollar venues succeed and grow in this economy.

Then, PatrickHenry, president and CEO of Patrick Henry Creative Promotions, sparks your creativity with a presentation of the best promotions from the past 20 years.

Exhibit Floor opens at noon! The big brands are there in a big way: ABSOLUT, Beam, Brown-Forman, RedBull, MillerCoors, Rums of Puerto Rico and more!

Check out the hot new spirit trends at the Boutique Brands Pavilion, featuring Ed Hardy Vodka, MuchoteTequila, SharkwaterTropicalLiqueur among others; sponsored by HotMixology.

Don’t miss the Shake It Up! Competition on the Main Stage on the Show floor. This high-stakes mixology competition, sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits, is hosted by Francesco Lafranconi.

Satisfy your curiosity at the “Ask the Experts” panel, and hit seminars on everything from tasting spirits and cocktails, bar food and social media throughout the day.

Finally, the Monster Hour hits the Main Stage at 6 p.m. for a rockin’ performance by Camp Freddy.

By Night…

Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc., ABSOLUT and MillerCoors sponsor the Triple Theme Party at Pure in CaesarsPalace for a multi-sensory experience.

The club pass gets you into Krave at Planet Hollywood for the annual GLBT party.

Also, check out LAVO at the Palazzo, where club pass holders enjoy an open bar from 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

By Night…

Marquee at TheCosmopolitan sponsored by Red Bull, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and MillerCoors, pulls out all the stops for the blockbuster Top 100 & DJ Spin Off Party. Don’t miss it!

Use your badge to Dine Around or Bar Hop at Lagasse’s Stadium in the Palazzo, StackRestaurant & Lounge in the Mirage, The Pub in the Monte Carlo and more.

With Club Pass in hand, end your time in Vegas at LAX nightclub in the Luxor, one of the most luxurious and chicest destinations in Vegas.

Game Time

NCB is proud to present the most important resource for any bar looking to cash in on the crowds sporting events can draw. New in 2011, NCB launches the Hospitality Sports Marketing Conference!

This event answers the need for a game plan for bar owners and operators as they develop and execute promotions tied to sports events and programs. Opening with a Celebrity Keynote by Willie Gault, former wide receiver for the Chicago Bears and LA Raiders, and also Founder of Athletes for Life, the event will feature sessions that drill down into maximizing the promotional opportunities around professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey, as well as UFC and traditional bar sports such as darts and pool. Check it out at ncbshow.com/sportsmarketing. Highlights of the program:

Drink Talk

Concerned about drunk driving, underage drinking and binge drinking? We all are, and to facilitate open communication on these and other alcohol-related issues, Brown-Forman brings its Responsibility Booth to the Nightclub & Bar Show. Stop by Booth #949 for a look at the spirits marketer’s “Our Thinking About Drinking” program and get involved in this important discussion. The future of your business and the safety of our guests depend on it!

Come See Us!

Stop by the Nightclub & Bar Booth (#845), say hello and check out what’s new! Make sure you are signed up for our five free e-newsletters – NCB Mix, NCB Nightclub Confidential, VIBE and Promo Power, and our newest, NCB Smart Bar. Also, check out nightclub.com, where you can find tons of great articles, as well as join in our NCB Forum discussion board, post blogs, videos and pictures.

While at the NCB Booth, outfit yourself in NCB logoed apparel and pick up NCB merchandise to show your industry pride and prove that you survived the 2011 NCB Show!

Celebrity Sightings!

Thirsty Traveler Kevin Brauch, always a favorite on the show floor and presenting “To Be (served) or Not to Be (served)” session on Wednesday.

HotMixology Host David Elger at the Boutique Brands Pavilion and around the show floor.

NCB’s own Jon Taffer, star of SpikeTV’s new reality series, “Bar Rescue” on the program, the show floor and evening events.Rising country star Ashley Ray performing at Pure during the Triple Theme Party Tuesday night.

Former Pussycat Doll Kaya Jones – look for her around the show floor — and also Josie Stevens, who stars on E! channel’s new show “Married to Rock,” and Lea from Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club.

Willie Gault, former NFL player and founder of Athletes for Life, will keynote at the Hospitality Sports Marketing Conference.

Elisa Najera, Miss Mexico 2008 will make an appearance at Spirits of Mexico Las Vegas.

Tom Leykis, national syndicated radio host, serves up the keynote address on Wednesday.

The Monster Hour on Tuesday gives attendees a chance to hear CampFreddy, a band including the likes of DavidNavarro and JulietteLewis.

Casting Call!

Does your bar need rescuing? Do you dream of being on television? Spike TV is looking for bar owners, bartenders, servers, security, DJs and industry pros eager be involved with “Bar Rescue.” The unscripted show, starring NCB Media Group President Jon Taffer, begins filming this spring. Stop by Booth #719 on Tues., March 8!